It is with great sadness that we  must announce the passing of  Mr. Thomas "Mr. C" Costello Born: February 7, 1917     Died: December 2, 2002

Comments by Stew Gaylord Scoutmaster of Troop 123 from 1992-2002

I would assume it is safe to say that no one has had more impact in the positive growth of Trailcraft Troop 123 than Tommy Costello.  Since he joined the Boy Scouts in the early 1920's and earned his Eagle Scout Award in 1926, Tommy's life has been dedicated to working with young people--particularly those in the Boy Scouts of America.  His life here on earth has touched hundreds, if not thousands - would that we all will be able to say the same when our time comes.

I would also venture to say that the scene to the left is how many of us will remember Mr. "C".  Mr. "C" and canoeing go hand in hand.  Watching his effort-less stroke in the stern of the canoe is like to that of watching a skilled artist painting.

My scouting career started in 1988 when I became Cubmaster of Pack 515.  Two month later I met Mr. "C", we got to talking about canoeing (a mutual passion) and we have been friends ever since.  During my time as Cubmaster, when I needed ideas, games or other input - I could call Mr. "C" and he would dig through his archives and send me a copy of what I needed.  If he couldn't find it, I would receive a typewritten copy of instructions - those of you that were under Mr. "C" in the Boy Scouts or Explorers know that same typewritten style-it is the only typewriter he has ever used.  He never was pushy, but he always was ready to help when asked.

When I was asked to be the Scoutmaster of Trailcraft Troop 123, I already knew I had big shoes to fill.  I was never in Boy Scouts, so I asked Tommy if he had any advice.  His response was, "Well, you better be careful what you ask for."  He said, "Suppose you just ask me when you have a question and I will tell you how I did it when I was Scoutmaster, then you do what you want - you are too big for me to boss around."  And that is what I did.  Because of his help I became a reasonably successful Scoutmaster.  He was always invited to join us on any trip and he always was asked to lead the annual Okefenokee Swamp Trip, so every batch of boys to a chance to meet Mr. "C" - a legend in his own time.  And what memories he gave to all.  The boys all got to hear Mr. C' recite the Robert Service poems around  the campfire, as in years gone by some of their fathers did.  The tales of trips in the past.  Such as the canoe trips through the Thousand Islands that Tommy and the scouts went on in the 1920's,  saluting a biplane sent out to find them when they were a week late arriving.  Or past Okefenokee trips.  Or the trips in the back of an orange truck to Mexico City, Yellowstone and elsewhere.  Stories of Winter Haven when it was young - and he was young.  About frog hunting, catching alligators, water moccasins and rattlesnakes.  So much living, so many stories. Of course, I have my stories about Mr. "C".  Like the time he came to the scouthouse and poured a bucket full of coral snakes he caught out on the floor during formation so the boys would all know what they looked like. . .  Or the time we were canoeing on the Itchetucknee and he picked up a water moccasin with his paddle and tried to pass it to me. . . Oh, so many memories.  The gifts he gave. . .

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